According to a local environmental monitoring report, the streams near Charlottesville are significantly depreciating because of intense land use and stream health, though the Rivanna basin stream network is in fair condition.
StreamWatch, "a local data collection and stream monitoring program," employs the word "fair" to denote a stream that is "somewhat degraded." After StreamWatch's 18-month study, it concluded that two-thirds of 21 area stream locations are in fair health, The Daily Progress reported.
The group's findings were centered on the diversity and quantity of benthic macro invertebrates uncovered in the streams. Since winter 2002 and up through spring 2004, these biological results were sampled and tested at least three times.
According to Environmental Sciences Prof. Janet Herman, there are a variety of factors that influence water quality, but chemical and biological contaminations tend to cause the most concern.
"Focusing on biological sampling measures something of critical importance: the stream's ability to support life," StreamWatch Director John Murphy told The Daily Progress.
According to The Daily Progress article, the assortment of invertebrates is an excellent gauge of biological health. If a stream contains more "stress-tolerant" bugs, such as caddis flies or aquatic earthworms, the stream is in an unhealthy, harmful state. However, more sensitive life forms, such as mayflies and stoneflies, allow for a healthier stream.
In addition, according to the study's results, the varied nature of a stream's organisms is likely to be low if there are plenty of surfaces, such as roads, enclosing a stream, The Daily Progress said.
"The most negative impact is where population density is the greatest," Herman said.
Due to the decrease in number of sensitive invertebrates and the increase of stress-tolerant creatures, most local streams have been acquired the "fair" label.
Although StreamWatch does not make any recommendations as to how to repair the stream situation, members of the organization's steering committee agree on the study's findings, according to the article.
--Compiled by Carling Boyles
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